On August 6, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) stopped the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA)  from harassing journalist and vlogger Asad Ali Toor during an inquiry against him. The court’s directive follows a legal challenge by Toor against a notice served by the NCCIA, which had summoned him regarding allegations of disseminating false information.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro presided over the hearing, during which Toor’s counsel, Advocate Attaullah Kundi, expressed concern that his client was willing to join the inquiry but could face arrest.

Advocate Kundi informed the court that although Toor was prepared to cooperate with the agency, there was apprehension about potential detention. The allegations, according to Kundi, pertained to a news report about the medical condition of the PTI founder.

The judge summoned the investigating officer to appear in court in a personal capacity and adjourned further proceedings to a later date.

On July 29, the NCCIA issued a notice to Toor, requiring his presence at the agency’s Cybercrime Reporting Centre in Islamabad for an inquiry related to the alleged dissemination of false information.

Toor was required to appear before the NCCIA on July 31. The notice was issued under Section 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. As per the notice, the complainant was listed as through the State.

Speaking to PPF, Toor had said that the notice from the NCCIA was vague and did not specify the matter for which he had been summoned. Toor shared that he had no idea what the inquiry was related to.

On July 30, Toor challenged the notice in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking to have the NCCIA notice declared null and void.

The IHC on July 31 instructed the NCCIA to provide Toor with detailed allegations so he could respond adequately.